2019 Ford Escape Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
40/100
#10 most-complained of 16 Escape years
The 2019 Ford Escape has 587 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 40, and ranks 10th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Escape years. Engine complaints dominate at 66% of reports.
- Complaints
- 587
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 24 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 28 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
Top 2019 Ford Escape problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine386 (66%)
- Transmission & Powertrain125 (21%)
- Electrical System46 (8%)
- Other43 (7%)
- Fuel System24 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires23 (4%)
- Steering16 (3%)
- Structure & Body13 (2%)
- Airbags11 (2%)
- Brakes10 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating on its own during low-speed maneuvers or while shifting into reverse or drive, sometimes striking poles or walls.
- Some drivers describe the transmission producing a loud abnormal noise when shifting into reverse.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in some head-on and side-impact crashes, while in another case a side curtain airbag deployed and ignited a sleeve.
- Owners report the vehicle rolling backward on its own while parked on a flat surface, resulting in collisions with fences.
- One owner described the hill assist system activating on its own at 35 mph, applying the brakes unexpectedly and causing a loss of steering control.
- A brake pedal application reportedly caused the vehicle to surge forward instead of stopping while parking.
2019 Ford Escape recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V011000Jan 15, 2026Other116,672 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 22V413000Jun 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain2,925,968 vehicles
Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
- NHTSA 21V155000Mar 10, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires15,769 vehicles
Tires
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.
2019 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Ford Escape reliable?
- Relative to other Escape model years, the 2019 is rated "Good" with a complaint index of 40, ranking 10th worst out of 16 years tracked by NHTSA.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Ford Escape?
- Engine issues make up 66% of complaints (386 of 587), followed by transmission and powertrain problems at 21% (125 complaints).
- Does the 2019 Ford Escape have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Escape, covering a block heater coolant leak, a shifter cable bushing, and Continental tires that may not have been properly cured.
- How does the 2019 Escape compare to other years?
- The 2019 model performs better than the 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2020 Escapes, which are all rated "Avoid" with higher complaint indexes of 100, 87, 93, and 80 respectively.
- What is the median mileage for reported failures in the 2019 Escape?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 64,460 miles overall, with engine complaints averaging 71,000 miles and transmission complaints at 64,460 miles.